Automatic radio frequency selector



March 17, 1936. s TEN 2,034,254

AUTOMATIC RADIO FREQUENCY SELECTOR Filed April 5. 1934 Sheets-Sheetl IN V EN TOR. law/720d Jrmz'wm March 17, 1936. 5 STENERSQN 2,034,254

AUTOMATIC RADIO FREQUENCY SELECTOR Filed April 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 life? 52.. l2 2 6$ m 8 .9 z 4 t I L5 53 7 6/? PM INVEN TOR. LtO/Y/MD 6. JTE/YfPSO/Y March 17, 1936. STENERSQN 2,034,254

AUTOMATIC RADIO FREQUENCY SELECTOR Filed April 3, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR. [fay/4E0 5. Jrf/vaaso/v ATT NEYS.

passed :17, 2,034,254

STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,034,25 AUTOMATIC RADIO FREQUENCY SELECTOR Leonard S. Stenerson, Salem, Oreg.

5111211036011 April 3, 1934, Serial N0. 718,797 4 C aims. (01. 250-20) The primary object of my invention is to pro Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view, partly in videqmeans whereby a day's program of desired section, of the slide shown in Fig. 4. radio broadcasts having been initially indicated, Fig. 6 is a front elevation of an alternative they will be automatically dialed in 'chronologiform of digitally manipulative station selector. 35 cal order 'onaradiorec'eiver. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the mechanism 5 'A further object ofmyinvention is to provide wn in Fi means whereby advance controlled timing of Fi 8 is a cross section of the device disclosed radio receiver-operation may be eflected. n le- "with radio; receivers as ordinarily constructed Like reference characters refer to like parts 10. it is necessary to manipulate, the controls thereof throughout the Several views. 10

whenever and as achange of program is desired. I provide a ehrorwmetrieelly ac uated switch A With my-improved device, however, and in the comprising n electric n a I fix ly embodimentthereof herein disclosed, a selection mounted upon a drive shaft 2 and r tat n th r of broadcasts for the ensuing twenty-four hour with. A suitable chronometrical driving mechperiod may be programmed at onetime to be 31115111, p a ly a synchronous motor 3, is con- 15 automatically released as'scheduled. c d by appropriate gearing, as spur g ars 4 In this wayaradio receiver may be set to any and 4A, to the Shaft 2, imparting e eto rot de ir d bi ti periods of receiving and tion at a. constant rate. I do not wish to limit of silence. *Should certair daily broadcasts be myself to the use of a synchronous motor for this desired the settings for-such may be left undis- Purpose as any Suitable Chronometrical driving 20 turbed, and so long as they are desired they will means may be mp nduc ors 5 and 8 b received t t set flme are provided to transmit electric energy to the My devicealso furnishes means whereby a Synchronous motor In the p es nt embodiradioreceiver may be automatically turned on at merit of my device the Shaft 2, and consequently apredetermined time andbeautomatically turned the Contact bar I, is rotated Once i mally. 25 of! t a subsequenbtimey with, 1 desired, selected Should it be desired to shorten or lengthen the jnfgrmedlgtgpeflods of 11 time cycle of operation, the rate of rotation of In the particular embodiment herein disclosed, the Shaft 2 may be altered to nf rm, one comthe cycle of operation is based on a twenty-four Plate rotation being required for one cycle- A mterval, tis t be understood that such plurality of electric contact plates 1, 1a, 1b, 10, etc. 3

minute intervals This Interval is f course to treme end sufilcient to over span, slightly, the gap be considered elective and may be made to mm between adjacent Contact plates- The number 40 form to the design requirements. of contact plates is dependent upon the number 40 I attain these objects by mechanism illustrated o possib e settings deslred in one complete time in, the accompanying drawings in which cycle. In the present instance there are fortyg 1 is a diagram disclosm'g the principle of eight contact plates, permittinga possible change operation of my device of radio receiver setting every thirty minutes during the twenty-four hour cycle. -15 a ii z g ggg 13 3 8 gg figgzg To facilitate observation and to permit ready visual checking of the 0 ti actuated switch associated with my device. pen on or the cruncdetail the construction of the-contact points on ed plane member 1 bearing t m t tmy power actuated station selector. This view ing indicia.

is taken along the line-33 of Fig. 1, looking in A wiping contact member I2 is suitably disthe direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in secnected, via a source of electric e tion, of a portion of my digitally manipulative tery H, to one coil lead of a circui selector switch disclosing the details of the slide. lay l3, the other coil lead of whic .20 selective longitudinal displacement on the con- I further provide a digitally manipulative station selector means B whereby my device may 'be set to select desired programs upon their recomplementary contact plate being in each one of the timing circuits.

Each of theconductor bars l8, l8a, I82), I80, etc. is provided with a contact slide as I9, Illa, I91), I90, etc. These slides are each adapted for ductor bars. Each of these slides comprises a body portion adapted to slide freely along the contact bar embraced by it. A handle portion 2| is provided to facilitate manipulation of the slide and-a spring contact 22 is affixed to each of the slides. A plurality of parallelly disposed conductor strips 23, 23a, 23b, 230, etc., are mounted upon the dielectric panel I1 immediately below and at substantially right angles to the conductor bars l8, I8a, I81), I80, etc. These conductor strips are mutually insulated and the end one is grounded, as at 231:. These conductor strips are adapted for selective engagement by each, any or all of the contact slides, being adapted for contact by the spring contact 22. The spacing of the conductor strips and the contour of the engaging end of the spring contact 22 are so related that contact of the spring contact 22 is limited to but one-conductor strip at a time. A suitable cover plate 24 may be disposed over the slide and conductor bars. Slots 25 are provided through which the slide handles 2| may protrude. The cover plate 24 may be fastened in place by any suitable means as by screws 26 entering into supporting strips 5 and I6.

I further provide a power actuated station selector C having a plane dielectric member 21 upon which is adjustably mounted a plurality of contact points 28, 28a, 28b, 280, etc. Upon the number of these contact points is dependent the The contact points 28, 28a, 28b, 28c, etc. are

mounted upon the dielectric member 21. A substantially semi-circular arcuate slot 28 is disposed in the member 21. Each of the contact points 28 has preferably a key or feather 38 engaging the slot 28 and adapted to maintain the contact point in a position radial to the center about which the 'arcuate slot is generated. A binding screw 3|,

coacting with nut 32, clamps the contact point in the desired position. An arcuate recess 33 may be provided to engage opposite sides ofv the nut 32' to prevent rotation thereof, thus facilitating the adjustment of the contact point.

A shaft 34, disposed perpendicularly to the plane of the dielectric member 21, is journaled at its one end in a suitable bearing mounted therein and is supported at its other end by suitable attachment means, not here shown, to the condenser rotor shaft of the radio receiver with which my device is associated. The axis of the shaft 34 is preferably made to coincide with the center about which the arcuate slot 29 is generated.

A contact arm 35 is aflixedtp the shaft 34 and is provided with a resilient. contact tip 36 which is adapted to contact successively the contact points 28, 28a, 28b, 280, etc. The contact arm 35 is made of suitable conductor material, and is provided with a hub 31 which acts as an electric contact plate and coacts with a spring contact member 38 which is thus in circuit with that one of the contact points contacted by the arm 35.

The spring contact member 38 is connected to one coil lead of a circuit making relay 48, the other lead of which is grounded.

Each of the contact points 28, 28a, 28b, 280, etc. represents a single position of the shaft 34 and of the radio receiver tuning condenser shaft; and therefore corresponds to a specific wavelength, or frequency, and broadcasting station; Sharp tuning of the radio receivermay be efiected by adjusting the contact points to give the most effective condenser positions.

Gear 4| is fixedly mounted upon and adapted to rotate the shaft 34 by means of a gear 42 mounted upon the armature of a motor 43. The motor 43 is energized by a suitable electric current as from a battery 44. The electric circuit between the motor 43 and the battery 44 is controlled by the circuit breaking relay l3, installed in the motor-battery circuit.

A pair of electric conductors, 45 and 46 is disposed in the radio receiver power circuit, and this circuit is controlled by the circuit-making relay 40. In installations where it might be desired to control the radio receiver filament circuit rather than the power circuit, the conductors 45 and 46 may be incorporated in the filament circuit. v

In operation, the handles 2| of the contact slides I9, |9a, I91), I90, etc.; on the digitally manipulative station selector B are so manipulated as to bring the slide on the conductor bar, corresponding to each broadcast interval for the ensuing cycle, over and in contact with that conductor strip representing the desired radio broadplate 1, corresponding to the 30 minute period starting at 12 P. M. as indicated by the pointer 9, is in circuit with conductor bar I8, the slide IQ of which is in contact with conductor strip 23 which in turn is in circuit with contact point 28. For those periods during which no broadcast is desired, the slides are placed to contact grounded casting station. Referring to Fig. 1, contact conductor strip 23:. Slides |9e and 9g are shown so placed. The mechanism illustrated discloses that the receiver is operating on the frequency corresponding to the condenser rotor position relating to the position of contact point 28 and coacting contact arm 35. In the position shown the .electric circuit actuating the circuit breaking relay I3 is closed, thus maintaining an. open circuit to the motor 43 and causing arm 38 to be in stationary contact with the contact point 28, and causing the circuit making relay 48 to be energized, thus closing. the power or filament circuit of the radio receiver.

Upon the advancement of the contact bar I from contact plate 1 to contact plate 1a, the circuit through the circuit breaking relay I3 is opened, and the circuit through the motor 43 through gears 4| breaking relay l3 is closed, resulting in rotatioii'pfthesl aft 34, and 42 and consequently of the and the radio receiver condenser rotor. This rotation ordinarily continues until the contact tip 36 contacts that one of the contact points in the new circuit established by the advance of the contact bar I. In Fig. 1 this would be contact point .28a, in series with contact plate 1a via conductor strip 23a, a slide l9a, and conductor bar I 80. When contact tip 36 contacts the contact point 28a, the circuit through circuit is closed and the circuit through the motor 43 is opened, stopping motor 33 and arresting contact tip 36.

During those periods through which no reception is desired, the respective contact-plate-toconductor-bar circuits are grounded through their slides via conductor strip 232:. In Fig. 1, slides We and My are so placed, thus grounding the circuits from contact plates 1e and 19 respectively, and also shunting out the motor actuated selector switch C and circuit making relay 40.

In all intervals during which relay I3 is deenergized, relay 40 is also deenerglzed. Relay 40 is also deenerglzed during all periods through which the grounded conductor strip is being utilized. The deenergization of relay 40 results in silencing the radio receiver 'by breaking the power or filament circuit in the receiver. This ,construction results in a silent receiver during those periods through which reception is not desired and also during the periods in which station changes are being eifected.

Should it be desired to maintain a station setting over an interval of two or more periods of thirty minutes each, no interference with the broadcast will be had due to the fact that the width of the contact end of contact bar i is sufficient to over-span the space between adjacent contact plates, thus maintaining an unbroken circuit through the coil of the circuit breaking relay l3.

In Fig. 2 I disclose the details of an alternative type of chronometrically actuated switch. This switch is characterized by the fact that the contact bar I instead of being advanced with constant angular velocity is advanced by even increments, the close spacing between stops, where necessitated by frequent program changes, mak-- ing this sometimes desirable. Inxthis construction the shaft 2 has fixedly mounted thereupon a ratchet wheel 41. A pawl 43 pivotally mounted upon pin 49 is adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 41. An arm 50 is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 2 and supports the pin 45. An armature 5| made of a material susceptible of magnetic attraction is mounted upon the arm 50. A stop 52 is arranged to limit the travel of the arm 50 to within predetermined limits. A reactance element as a spring 53 is disposed relative to the arm 50 to maintain it at rest in a fixed position. An electric magnet 54 is arranged within range of the armature 5|. The electric magnet 54 is periodically energized from a suitable source of electric current as a battery 55, by means of contact arm 56 and contact point 51 which together provide means whereby the electric circuit of the battery 55 may be interrupted. The contact arm 56 and the contact point 51 are suitably mounted as upon a support 59. A reactance element, as a spring 58, tends to separate the contact arm 58 and the contact point 57. A cam 60 driven through suitable gearing by a synchronous motor 5| which is mounted to the support 59, provides means whereby the contact arm 55 is periodically brought into contact with the contact point 51 thereby closing the circuit through the battery 55 and energizing the electric magnet 54. Suitable electric current may be supplied to the synchronous'motor through conductors 5 and 5.

In Fig. 6 I disclose an alternative type of digitally manipulative station selector. In this type of station selector I provide a dielectric body member 62 which is provided with a concave surface 63. This concave surface is generated from a line lying upon one of the surfaces of the body member. A plurality of conductor strips 54 are partially embedded within the dielectric body member 62 being thereby mutually insulated. A shaft 65 is disposed through shaft supports 66. The axis of the shaft 65 coincides with the line about which the concave surface 63 is generated. The shaft supports 66 are secured to the body member 62 by suitable means as by screws 66a. A plurality of selector arms 51, formed preferably of suitable dielectric material, are disposed upon the shaft 65. These selector arms are each provided with a spacing hub 68. A spring contact 69 made from suitable conductor material is attached to each of the arms 61 by means of ratchet II. The spring contacts 69 are each provided with terminals 12 to which are affixed flexible conductors 13 which emerge from the station selector through independent apertures as shown at 14. Each of the selector arms is provided with a projection suitably arranged to be engaged by the fingers of the operator of the device.

Semi-cylindrical cover plate 15, provided with flanges 16, is disposed upon the body member 52 with its line of generation coinciding with that of the concave surface of the body member 52 and is fastened thereto by any suitable means as by screws TI. A plurality of slots 18 are disposed cirmmferentially about the surface of the cover plate. These slots are adapted to embrace the projections I0 of the selector arms. Indicia are disposed upon one of the radial flanges l6 and in alignment with the selector arms indicating the hour or fraction of an hour following which the indicated selector arm controls the position of the power actuated station selector. Suitable indicia 80 are disposed radially upon the semi-cylindrical cover plate. These last named indicia indicate the position to be assumed by the selector arms to cause the power actuated station selector to tune the radio receiver to the indicated station or wave length.

While the form of mechanism herein shown described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the embodiment herein shown and described, as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a radio receiver tuning mechanism,

of a plurality of electric timing circuits; a chronand progressed by chronometrically controlled switch having a plurality of conductor bars, conductor strips and contact slides, the conductor bars being individually connected to their complementary contact plates, one of the conductor strips being grounded, and all of the conductor strips being adapted for individual engagement with the conductor bars by means of the contact slides; and a power actuated station selector switch comprising a plurality of contact points mutually isolated and individually connected to their complementary conductor strips, a contact arm, adapted to individually contact the contact points, contact means constantly contacting the contact arm, means for angularly displacing the contact arm, means for coordinating the displacement of the contact arm with the radio tuning mechanism, and means for rendering the radio receiver selectively inoperative.

2. In a device of the class described, the comblnation with a radio receiver tuning mechanism, of a plurality of electric timing circuits; a chronometrically actuated switch successively and individually actuating the electric timing circuits, the switch comprising a radial arm contacting, not over two at a time, a plurality of mutually isolated contact plates circumferentially disposed about the axis of the arm and simultaneously and continuously contacting a contact ring circumferentially disposed about the axis of the arm,

and progressed by chronometrically controlled means coacting with the radial arm; a circuit breaking relay common to all of the electric timing circuits; a digitally manipulative selector switch having a plurality of conductor bars, conductor strips and contact slides, the conductor bars being individually connected to their complementary contact plates, one of the conductor strips being grounded, and all of the conductor strips being adapted for individual engagement with the conductor bars by means of the contact slides; and a power actuated station selector switch comprising a plurality of contact points mutually isolated and individually connected to their complementary conductor strips, a contact arm adapted to individually contact the contact points, contact means constantly contacting the contact arm, means for angularly displacing the contact arm, and means for coordinating the displacement of the contact arm with the radio tuning mechanism.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a radio receiving tuning mechanism, of a plurality of electric timing circuits, .a chronometrically actuated switch successively and individually actuating the electric timing circuits, the switch comprising a radial armcon-- electric timing circuits, a digitally manipulative selector switch comprising a dielectric body member having a concave surface, a plurality of conductor strips disposed longitudinally of the concave surface, a shaft, shaft supports positioning the shaft, a plurality of selector arms rotatably mounted upon the shaft, hubs integral with the selector arms and spacing them, terminals disposed upon an end of the selector armsconductors aifixed to the terminals, and a semi-cylindrical and slotted cover plate disposed upon the body member.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a radio receiving tuning mechanism; of a plurality of electric timing circuits, a chronomctrically actuated switch successively and individually actuating the electric timing cir 30 cults the switch comprising-a radial .arm contacting, not over two at a time, a plurality of mutually isolated contact plates circuniferentially disposed about the axis of the arm and simultaneously and continuously contactingla contact ring circumferentially disposed about the axis of the arm, and progressed by chronometrically controlled means coacting with the radial arm; a circuit breaking relay common to all of the electric timing circuits, a digitally manipulative selector switch comprising a dielectric body member having a concave surface, a plurality of conductor strips disposed longitudinally of the concave surface, a shaft, shaft supports positioning the shaft, a plurality of selector arms rotatably mounted-upon the shaft, hubs integral with the selector arms and spacing them, terminals dis-' posed upon an end of the selector arms, conductors aflixed to the'terminals, a semi-cylindrical and slotted cover plate disposed upon the body member, hour denoting indicia disposed longitudinally ofthe cover plate, and other indicia disposed circumferentially of the cover plate.

LEONARD S. STENERSON. 

